WWII Bolt Action French

For those in doubt - I'm pretty francophile when it comes to history. After the launch of Bolt Action, a rule set I really enjoy, I decided to include a French contingent in my collection.

The Fall of France in 1940 is often hailed as the perfection of the Blitzkrieg strategy. As the panzers rolled up the French defenses with astounding speed, the brave French troops fought it out with great elán, often only to be undermined by political intrigues in the top military command - one could get a déja vu feeling to the 1870 campaign. All efforts ending at the Dunkerque evacuation of over 300.000 troops and the surrender of France.

As Bolt Action is a skirmish game, I quite like this early war period, before the tanks got too big, allowing focus on the infantry squad and how this is used on the table.

Warlord supplies a very nice range of miniatures, with great sculpting, and thus grateful figs to paint.
Based individual figs on 25 mm rounds, and support on 60 mm rounds.

Support 1: MMG Team pointing their faithful Hotchkiss at the invaders

Support 2: 81 mm mortar fielded with spotter to really pin point the suppressive fire

St Petersburg Grenadiers

Managed to finish up the first of the Russian units for my Borodino Collection.

The St Petersburg Grenadiers saw action at Borodino as part of the center-left of
the Russian position. A crutial part of the Russian defense as Napoleon was looking to out flank his opposition.

  Like a few other characters in history Napoleon bit of more than he could chew in the Russian campaign of 1812. Looking for a fight that would thwart the Russian forces, he got it on 7th September 1812 in the battle of Borodino or the battle for Moscow as the French call it.

For those interested in the battle I can really recommend the "Borodino" book from Histoire & Collections.

 The book offers excellent uniform plates and in depth description of the armies
and the battle it self. Picked up my copy at Salute 2 years ago, think it was Caliver who sold it.

Prussian Guard Grenadiers 1870

The latest addition to the 1870 project.
A regiment of Prussian Guard Grenadiers with feldmutze.

Figs are North Star 1866, flags are GMB.

The Guards getting ready to storm St. Privat.

Detail: The North Star 1866 range offers high diversity to the range, and special character packages. For instance this Prussian soldier smoking on his pipe to calm his nerves while waiting in the charge.

Wall set

Inspired by the classic defence of the town and church yard of St Privat, I bought this wall set at Salute 2011. Finally got around to painting it too...

A last stand...

Inspiration

Inspiration

Battle Booklets

Just got these beauties in the mail. Finding such detailed and specialized books on specific battles and campaigns of the 19th century is a rare treat. The Continental Wars Society has published a range of high quality and very affordable booklets. 

Bought the following copies of the range:

- Montebello 1859

- The Battle of Nachod 1866

- Langensalza 1866

- The Royal Bavarian Army in the Campaign of 1866

- The Battle of Froeschwiller 1870

Containing uniform plates and detailed battle maps, these books are written by enthusiasts for enthusiast . To arrange the purchase, I've been in contact with the very helpful author of "Montebello" and the Society representative, Ralph Weaver, who can be contacted by way of e-mail on: ralphcws@hotmail.com

Now, I'm off to my couch with a cup of coffee and a good book!

Ouch...

From the new exhibition at Les Invalides in Paris. This Carabinier cuirass was taken from the field of battle at Waterloo. Guess this poor fellow has sung his last vers of the Marseillaise...

Spahi project - 1870

Gathering inspiration for my coming Spahi unit.

These elite Arab horsemen were a part of the integrated African contingent in the regular French army of the Second Empire. They were courageous to the brink of madness, being the unit within the army awarded the most Legion D'honneurs.

I have bought some really nice arab horsemen from Artizans range that will serve the purpose. 

Can't wait to get started.